Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), has awarded the 45th edition of the international tournament to the cities of Edmonton and Red Deer

There's no shortage of Oilers who have competed at the IIHF World Junior Championship before becoming full-time National Hockey Leaguers.

Oil Country will get another opportunity to see the Oilers of tomorrow play when the annual event comes to Edmonton and Red Deer in 2021, which was announced on Thursday.

"To return to Alberta is an incredible opportunity for Hockey Canada and the IIHF World Junior Championship," said Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer of Hockey Canada in a press release.

"The province of Alberta and the cities of Edmonton and Red Deer have a history of hosting successful, world-class events, including the 1995 IIHF World Junior Championship in Red Deer, the 2012 edition of the tournament in Edmonton and the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer."

Edmonton and Calgary shared hosting duties in 2012, while Red Deer last held the international ice hockey tournament in their city in 1995. This will mark the 12th time in the circuit's 41-year history that Hockey Canada has hosted the perennial event.

"Oilers Entertainment Group is thrilled to be able to continue our partnership with Hockey Canada, this time to help bring the IIHF World Junior Championship to Edmonton and Red Deer," said Bob Nicholson, Oilers Entertainment Group CEO & vice chair.

"We are continuing to build Edmonton's international reputation as a destination for hockey and we know the hockey fans in our community will be excited to cheer on Team Canada on home ice."

Added Red Deer Rebels Owner, General Manager and Head Coach Brent Sutter: "On behalf of the Rebels organization, the City of Red Deer, our partners at Westerner Park and all junior hockey fans across Central Alberta, we are beyond excited to bring the IIHF World Junior Championship back to our community.

"This marquee event was a game-changer for the region in 1995, and we're sure fans from around the world will be embraced once again."